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Science Education

As science teachers prepare to go back to school for the next school year, some have already returned, they are always searching for good online resources to supplement their lessons. It is always nice when someone helps them by previewing science websites and make recommendations.

The best science education websites are interactive, allowing students to make changes to or manipulate variables to observe what happens and share with others. This falls within the boundaries of inquiry-based teaching and learning. Students are developing their own experiments, observing the results, and reporting their findings.

The following websites have been previewed and meet the criteria of interactive and inquiry-based:

FOSS Web – is designed to support Full Option Science System (FOSS) Science K-8 science kits, but anyone can use the interactive activities for grades K – 8.

Volcano Cams – provides real-time views of volcanoes around the world. Students can observe volcanoes and develop their own experiments using these virtual cams for grades 5 – 12.

Real-time Stream Flow Data across the Nation – by the US Geological Survey (USGS) provides real-time data typically are recorded at 15- to 60-minte intervals and transmitted to the U.S. Geological Survey offices every four hours. Data can be selected by state and county for grades 8 – 12.

Real-time Water Quality Data across the Nation-by the US Geological Survey (USGS) provides real-time water quality data are returned directly field instruments. Data are updated at five minute to one-hour intervals. Data can be selected by state and county for grades 8 -12.

Design a Roller Coaster – allows students to design their own roller coaster. They are building a conceptual coaster using the same physics concepts that are used to design real coasters for grades 6 – 12.

Human Anatomy Online – allows students to explore the Human Anatomy. Each topic has animations, 100’s of graphics, and thousands of descriptive links, for grades 4 – 12.

Recently, the President announced several new public-private collaborations that would make investments of more than $250 million to help train more than 10,000 new math and science instructors and provide additional training to more than 100,000 existing teachers. There is a determined push to employ teachers who can assertively and enthusiastically educate in the area of science.

“Passionate educators with deep content expertise can make all the difference,” President Obama stated in a prepared speech, “enabling hands-on learning that truly engages students — including girls and underrepresented minorities — and preparing them to tackle the ‘grand challenges’ of the 21st century such as increasing energy independence, improving people’s health, protecting the environment and strengthening national security.”

American students’ rankings in science continue to plummet compared to various other nations, which does not bode well for our ability to innovate and compete in the future. All of this points out that our educational institutions are still failing to properly educate kids in the science and math they will need to be successful in their adult professions. There is a need to use engaging science materials at an early age, particularly for those who educate privately or at home.

The administration’s crusade is called “Educate to Innovate” and is pursuing numerous avenues to increase U.S. students’ rank in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. (See the full White House press release for information on how colleges and private companies are working on the issue.)

Home schoolers and private educators of all backgrounds must feel confident in being able to present science lessons and make them exciting for the student – just like the national effort to train professional teachers. What about President Obama singling out the need to engage girls? Here’s just one sign that points out that problem: Barely 17% of undergraduate engineering degrees are awarded to women.

Gaining an education in applied sciences allows students to step into a variety of careers that pertain directly to their interests. Students can focus their studies on areas such as business, computer information, and criminal justice. Gaining an online applied sciences education in is possible through numerous online colleges and universities.

The focus of schooling is to train students to apply scientific reasoning to problems that may be encountered in areas such as research, product invention, and more. Traditionally, the industry is connected with engineering, technology, and business. Today, the field has grown to encompass a wide range of areas, which are now available for learning online. Students that are interested in obtaining an applied sciences degree can complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

Associate’s degree programs prepare students to step into a career immediately after graduation. Education is focused and many online schools offer students degree choices that require little to no hands-on training. Major areas of study offered can include online courses in criminal justice, business administration, accounting, engineering, and allied health. Students may have to complete internships that give them hands-on experience especially for fields like radiology and biomedical. Some course topics that are included in programs may include:

Wireless Network Systems

Criminal Evidence

Effective Communication

Digital Data Technology

Online courses in these areas teach students how to function properly inside their chosen area of study. An accounting concentration, for example, teaches students about central aspects of the field like taxation and microeconomics. A business administration specialty teaches students by having them work through courses on finance, new product management, and small business technology. Attending online applied sciences schools and colleges at the associate’s degree level prepares students for a bachelor’s degree program and specific careers.

Students that pursue online education at the bachelor’s degree level are typically working professionals looking to advance inside their field. Programs cover technical and business-oriented course subjects along with general education to complete the requirements needed for a bachelor’s degree program. Career based courses explore advanced subjects related to management techniques. Online bachelor’s degree programs offer a variety of courses that may include:

Economic Analysis

Project Management

Workplace Ethics

Decision Making

Education trains students to enter higher-level positions inside their chosen specialty. Business skills are focused on from a science and mathematical standpoint giving students the opportunity to enter more technical related fields. Computer programmers, database specialists, information technology mangers, and business managers are several career fields students can enter after completing online education. Further education is typically not offered in applied sciences. Students that continue education at the graduate level of schooling can work through online programs that pertain specifically to their career or a new field of study.

Gaining an accredited applied sciences education online allows students to become professionals in a broad range of fields. Different agencies like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology ( http://www.accsc.org/ ) can fully accredit schools that provide proof that a quality education will be received. Students can begin education today by finding the right online program that allows them to step into their desired career.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.